Deployable screen system

ABSTRACT

A workstation assembly that can be opened when needed is disclosed. When closed, the workstation assembly can be aesthetically pleasing and can have a reduced footprint. When opened, the workstation assembly can include a deployable screen system capable of deploying an interior screen from a door section of the workstation assembly. The screen can provide a backdrop for videoconferencing, can provide improved isolation (e.g., sound isolation, visual isolation, shared airflow isolation, and the like) for an individual within the opened workstation assembly. The deployable screen system can also include an exterior screen for providing an aesthetically pleasing exterior and improved isolation while the workstation assembly is in use. The workstation assembly can also include a surround frame with openings and light sources to provide diffuse illumination to the environment surrounding the workstation assembly, which can be especially useful when natural light is unavailable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 17/886,203 filed Aug. 11, 2022 and entitled“DEPLOYABLE SCREEN SYSTEM.” which is a continuation of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/527,450 filed Nov. 16,2021 and entitled “WORKSTATION ASSEMBLY,” which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/115,251 filed Nov. 18, 2020and entitled “WORKSTATION ASSEMBLY,” the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to furniture generally and morespecifically to movable office/workspace furniture.

BACKGROUND

Various types of furniture exist to provide a workspace for anindividual. Workspace furniture can often include items such as desks,chairs, file drawers, cabinets, partitions, and the like. However, useof such workspace furniture can occupy large amounts of space and canappear aesthetically unpleasing. Further, such workspace furniture mayoften be used in enclosed environments having little or no naturallight. There are needs for improvements in existing workspace furniture,including improved furniture able to be used in many environments, ableto incorporate multiple pieces of workspace furniture in a convenientenclosure, able to look aesthetically pleasing, and/or able to providedesirable lighting.

Additionally, the recent pandemic has shown that there are new needs forimproved workspace furniture. For example, there is a need for workspacefurniture that can provide improved safety, especially in common workenvironments. There is also a need for workspace furniture that canprovide improved convenience for videoconferencing and other remotecommunication methods, especially as more individuals work from home orotherwise interact with others remotely on a more regular basis.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure include aworkstation assembly, comprising: a stationary section having a rearwall panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a work surface,the work surface being positioned between the first side panel and thesecond side panel; a door section rotatably coupled to the stationarysection at the first side panel, the door section rotatable between aclosed position and an open position; and a deployable screen systemcoupled to the first door section, the deployable screen systemcomprising: a roller housing coupled to the door section; a rollerassembly positioned within the roller housing and rotatable about aroller axis; a slidable end panel coupled to the roller housing by asupport linkage, the slidable end panel movable between a retractedposition adjacent the roller housing and an extended position spacedapart from the roller housing; and a screen having a first end supportedby the slidable end panel and a second end supported by the rollerassembly, the roller assembly providing a biasing force to wrap aportion of the screen about the roller assembly when the slidable endpanel is in the retracted position, wherein movement of the slidable endpanel to the extended position unwraps at least some of the portion ofthe screen from the roller assembly.

In some cases, the door section is supported by a caster movable on afloor, and wherein the slidable end panel is supported by an additionalcaster movable on the floor. In some cases, the stationary sectionfurther includes a movable computer equipment support movable between anextended position and a retracted position, wherein movement of the doorsection to the closed position induces movement of the movable computerequipment support to the retracted position. In some cases, theworkstation assembly further comprises an additional door sectionrotatably coupled to the stationary section at the second side panel,the additional door section rotatable between a closed position and anopen position, wherein an inner surface of the door section faces aninner surface of the additional door section when the door section is inits open position and the additional door section is in its openposition. In some cases, the door section has a width extending from thefirst side panel, wherein the additional door section has an additionalwidth extending from the second side panel, and wherein the width of thedoor section is greater than the additional width of the additional doorsection. In some cases, the door section comprises an interior wallhaving a slot, wherein the slot of the interior wall of the door sectionfits around the work surface when the door section is in the closedposition.

In some cases, the workstation assembly further comprises a surroundframe positioned around the stationary section, the surround framehaving one or more light sources. In some cases, the surround framecomprises a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality ofopenings comprises: a front aperture; a respective one of the one ormore light sources; and a divider separating the respective one of theone or more light sources from the front aperture, the divider beingtransparent or translucent In some cases, each of the plurality ofopenings further comprises a surface positioned between the divider andthe front aperture, the surface being treated to diffusely reflect lightfrom the respective one of the one or more light sources out of thefront aperture.

In some cases, the support linkage comprises a first linkage arm havinga first end rotatably coupled to the roller housing and a second linkagearm having a first end rotatably coupled to the slidable end panel,wherein a second end of the first linkage arm is rotatably coupled to asecond end of the second linkage arm by a resistance coupling, andwherein the resistance coupling provides sufficient resistance toovercome the biasing force of the roller assembly. In some cases, thesupport linkage is coupled between an upper region of the roller housingand an upper region of the slidable end panel, and wherein thedeployable screen system further comprises a second support linkagecoupled between a lower region of the roller housing and a lower regionof the slidable end panel. In some cases, the screen is positionedbetween the support linkage and the stationary section when the doorsection is in the open position and the slidable end panel is in theextended position.

In some cases, the deployable screen system further comprises: anadditional roller assembly positioned within the roller housing; and anadditional screen having a first end supported by the slidable end paneland a second end supported by the additional roller assembly, whereinthe support linkage is positioned between the screen and the additionalscreen. In some cases, an exposed surface of the screen faces thestationary section when the door section is in the open position and theslidable end panel is in the extended position, and wherein the exposedsurface of the screen is a uniform color. In some cases, an exposedsurface of the additional screen faces away from the stationary sectionwhen the door section is in the open position and the slidable end panelis in the extended position, and wherein the exposed surface of theadditional screen is different from the uniform color. In some cases,the first end of the screen includes a region of increased thickness,wherein the slidable end panel includes a retention channel having avertical slot, and wherein the first end of the screen is supported bythe slidable end panel by the region of increased thickness beingpositioned within the retention channel as the screen passes through thevertical slot. In some cases, the roller housing is removably coupled tothe door section. In some cases, the door section includes i) a shelf;ii) an additional work surface; iii) a cabinet; iv) a drawer; v) ahanger bar; or vi) any combination of i-v.

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure include a method,comprising: providing a workstation assembly having door sectionrotatably coupled to a stationary section; opening the workstationassembly by rotating the door section away from the stationary section;and extending a deployable screen by pulling a slidable end panel awayfrom the door section, wherein pulling the slidable end panel away fromthe door section causes the deployable screen to unwrap from a rollerassembly coupled to the door section.

In some cases, the method further comprises: removing the deployablescreen, wherein removing the deployable screen includes uncoupling theroller assembly from the door section; attaching an alternate deployablescreen, wherein attaching the alternate deployable screen includescoupling an alternate roller assembly to the door section; and extendingthe alternate deployable screen, wherein extending the alternatedeployable screen includes pulling the slidable end panel away from thedoor section, wherein pulling the slidable end panel away from the doorsection causes the alternate deployable screen to unwrap from thealternate roller assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, inwhich use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended toillustrate like or analogous components.

FIG. 1 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly with doorsections in open positions, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly with adeployable screen partially deployed, according to certain aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly with adeployable screen fully deployed, according to certain aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a workstation assembly with door sections inclosed positions, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a workstation assembly with door sections inclosed positions, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top cutaway view of a workstation assembly with a surroundframe, with door sections in closed positions, according to certainaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a workstation assembly without a surround frame,with door sections in closed positions, according to certain aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a workstation assembly without a surround frame,with door sections in open positions, according to certain aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a workstation assembly without a surround frame,with deployable screens fully deployed, according to certain aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of a deployable screen system of aworkstation assembly, with deployable screens in retracted positions,according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a combination close up view and enlarged view of a deployablescreen system of a workstation assembly, with deployable screens indeployed positions, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front cutaway view of a deployable screen system of aworkstation assembly, with a deployable screen in a deployed position,according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting a process for using a workstationassembly, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to aworkstation assembly that can be opened when needed. When closed, theworkstation assembly can be aesthetically pleasing and can have areduced footprint. When opened, the workstation assembly can include adeployable screen system capable of deploying an interior screen from adoor section of the workstation assembly. The screen can provide abackdrop for videoconferencing, can provide improved isolation (e.g.,sound isolation, visual isolation, shared airflow isolation, and thelike) for an individual within the opened workstation assembly. Thedeployable screen system can also include an exterior screen forproviding an aesthetically pleasing exterior and improved isolationwhile the workstation assembly is in use. The workstation assembly canalso include a surround frame with openings and light sources to providediffuse illumination to the environment surrounding the workstationassembly, which can be especially useful when natural light isunavailable.

The workstation assembly can include a stationary section and one ormore door sections. In some cases, the workstation assembly includes twodoors: a left door and a right door. In such cases, the one door may bewider than the other door (e.g., the left door being wider than theright door as depicted in the figures below), although that need notalways be the case. Each door section can be rotatably coupled to a sidepanel of the stationary section, such as by one or more hinges. Eachdoor section can thus rotate from a closed position to an open position.In the closed position, the door section at least partially occludes thestationary section. In the open position, the door section is rotatedaway from the stationary section to permit access to the stationarysection. In some cases, a stopper can be used to halt rotation of thedoor section past the open position, although that need not always bethe case. In some cases, the open position is a position 90° rotatedfrom the closed position, although that need not always be the case. Insome cases, the angle of rotation between the closed position and theopen position is within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°,12°, 13°, 14°, and/or 15° from 90° and/or from 180°. Other ranges can beused.

The stationary section can include a rear wall panel and two sidepanels. The stationary section can include a work surface, such as adesk, as well as any other suitable workspace features, such as a shelf(e.g., a stationary shelf, such as a bookshelf, and/or a slide-outshelf, such as a printer slide-out shelf); an additional work surface; acabinet (e.g., a hanging file cabinet); a drawer; a hanger bar (e.g., tohang clothes); or any combination thereof.

In some cases, the stationary section can be configured to support adisplay (e.g., a discrete computer monitor or a display of a computingdevice, such as a laptop computer or tablet computer) and/or inputdevices on, above, and/or below the work surface. For example, thestationary section can include channels, electrical outlets, holes, andthe like to facilitate placement of a display and/or input devices onthe work surface of the stationary section. In some cases, thestationary section can include one or more movable computer equipmentsupports. Such a movable computer equipment support can be capable ofsupporting any suitable computer equipment, such as an input device, adisplay, a computer housing, or the like. In an example, an extendablekeyboard tray can be coupled to an underside of the work surface. Inanother example, a movable support arm can be coupled to the stationarysection (e.g., at the rear wall panel, a side panel, the work surface,or elsewhere) to support a display and/or one or more input devices(e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a touchscreen monitor, and thelike).

A movable computer equipment support can move between an extendedposition and a retracted position. In the extended position, the movablecomputer equipment support can allow for any computer equipmentsupported thereon to be positioned in a convenient location for use(e.g., standing use and/or seated use) by a user of the workstationassembly. For example, if the movable computer equipment support is akeyboard tray, the keyboard tray may be extended to allow access to thekeyboard thereon. In the retracted position, the movable computerequipment support can be retracted towards the rear wall panel such thatthe movable computer equipment support or the computer equipment supportthereon does not hinder closing of any door sections of the workstationassembly. In some cases, movement of the movable computer equipmentsupport can be automatically controlled in a retracting and/or extendingdirection. Such automatic control can be accomplished via electronic(e.g., via actuators) or mechanical (e.g., via linkages or contactingsurfaces) techniques. In some cases, opening of one or more doorsections can automatically cause the movable computer equipment supportto move towards the extended position. In some cases, closing of one ormore door sections can automatically cause the movable computerequipment support to move towards the retracted position.

While the work surface may be positioned between the first side wall andthe second side wall, it may not always extend for that full width. Insome cases, the work surface of the stationary section can extendbetween a first side wall and a supplemental barrier that is spacedapart from the second side wall. The space between the supplementalbarrier and the second side wall can be used to fit equipment within theworkstation assembly while the one or more door sections are closed. Forexample, a desk chair (e.g., a rolling desk chair) may include a backsupport that extends above the ground to a height greater than theheight of the work surface above the ground. Thus, to store the deskchair within the workstation assembly, the desk chair can be maneuveredso that the back support fits within the space between the supplementalbarrier and the second side wall. Other items can be stored in such aspace, such as clothing, equipment, and the like.

Each door section of the workplace assembly can include a frame. Theframe can include an exterior wall, a proximal side wall coupled to thestationary section, and a distal side wall opposite the proximal sidewall. In some cases, the frame can include one or both of a top paneland a bottom panel. The door section can include any number andcombination of workspace features, which can be located between theproximal side wall and the distal side wall, although that need notalways be the case. Examples of such workspace features can include awork surface (e.g., an additional work surface positioned in a planeabove or below the plane of the work surface of the stationary section),a shelf; an additional work surface; a cabinet; a drawer; a hanger bar(e.g., to hang clothes); or any combination thereof. In some cases, thedistal side wall can include a slot, split, or other opening foraccepting the work surface of the stationary section when the doorsection is in a closed position. In some cases, each door section can besupported above the floor by a translational mechanism, such as one ormore casters or other rollers. In other cases, each door section can besupported through the rotational coupling with the stationary section,and can optionally include one or more deployable supports that can bedeployed to provide additional support when the door section is in aclosed position and/or an open position.

One of the door sections can include a deployable screen system. In somecases, multiple door sections can include distinct deployable screensystems. The deployable screen system can be built into the doorsection, although that need not always be the case. For example, in somecases, a deployable screen system, or at least a portion of thedeployable screen system, can be provided as a removable cassette thatcan be placed into a corresponding receiving space of the door sectionto couple the deployable screen system to the door section.

The deployable screen system can include a roller housing coupled to thedoor section. In some cases, the roller housing can be coupled to thedoor section via removable coupling mechanisms. In some cases, theroller housing can be more permanently coupled to the door section, suchas through more permanent coupling mechanisms or by being formed ofelements of the door section (e.g., the exterior wall, the distal sidewall, and an additional wall). In such cases, the roller housing may actas a receiving space for receiving other portions of the deployablescreen system.

The deployable screen system can include at least one roller positionedwithin the roller housing. A screen can be wrapped around the roller. Abiasing device (e.g., an internal spring) of the roller can apply abiasing force to wrap the screen around the roller. Thus, pulling thescreen off of the roller (e.g., unwrapping the screen) can requireapplying sufficient force to overcome the biasing force. Additionally, athreshold resistance exists that can be applied to an unwrapped screento prevent the biasing force from overcoming the threshold resistancewithout user intervention.

The screen can be coupled to the roller at a first end (e.g., a proximalend), such as through a coupling device (e.g., clamp, adhesive,staples), through friction (e.g., friction from several wraps of thescreen around the roller), or in other fashions. An opposite, second endof the screen (e.g., a distal end) can be coupled to a slidable endpanel through any suitable fashion. In some cases, the distal end of thescreen can include a region of increased thickness (e.g., from foldingover the screen to create a seam), which can be slid into a retentionchannel of the slidable end panel. The retention channel can have a slotlarge enough to permit passage of a nominal thickness of the screen, butnot large enough to permit passage of the region of increased thicknessof the screen, thus retaining the distal end of the screen andeffectively coupling the distal end of the screen to the slidable endpanel.

The slidable end panel can be a panel that has a height at least as tallas a width of the screen. In some cases, the slidable end panel isdesigned to match the finishing of the door section. The slidable endpanel can be supported on one or more translational mechanisms, such asone or more casters, thus permitting the slidable end panel to slideaway from the door section. In some cases, the slidable end panelincludes a handle to facilitate sliding of the slidable end panel,although that need not always be the case. The slidable end panel canmove between a retracted position and an extended position. In theretracted position, the slidable end panel is positioned near the rollerhousing and the screen is substantially wrapped around the roller (e.g.,at least 99%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, and/or 70% of the length of thescreen is wrapped around the roller). In the extended position, theslidable end panel is spaced apart from the roller housing and at leasta portion of the screen is unwrapped from the roller with respect towhen the slidable end panel is in the retracted position.

The slidable end panel can be slidably coupled to the door section(e.g., via the roller housing) by any suitable mechanism, such as alinear actuator (e.g., a rigid chain actuator) or a support linkage.This coupling (e.g., support linkage) can provide sufficient resistanceto overcome the biasing force of the roller such that the screen doeswrap around the roller without the application of additional force. Forexample, a support linkage can include two bars rotatably coupledtogether, each being rotatably coupled to respective ones of to theslidable end panel and the roller housing. The rotatable couplingbetween the two bars can be a resistance coupling capable of providingan amount of resistance to movement necessary to overcome the biasingforce of the roller. In some cases, two support linkages can be used,one coupling an upper portion of the roller housing with an upperportion of the slidable end panel, and the other coupling a lowerportion of the roller housing with a lower portion of the slidable endpanel.

In some cases, the deployable screen system can include two screens: aninner screen and an exterior screen. In such cases, each screen can besecured to and wrappable about its own roller. An inner screen can havean exposed surface that faces towards the stationary section of theworkstation assembly. An outer screen can have an exposed surface thatfaces away from the stationary section of the workstation assembly. Theinner screen can be located opposite the support linkage(s) from theouter screen.

A screen can be made of any suitable material, such as an antimicrobialfabric or a bleachable fabric. In some cases, the screen can be made ofa material suitable to reduce airflow through the screen by at or atleast 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,99%, and/or 100%. The exposed surface of the screen can present in anysuitable fashion, such as presenting a pattern, an image, or a uniformcolor. For example, a screen presenting a pattern (e.g., similar to woodgrain) may be useful on the exterior screen to achieve a desiredaesthetic. In another example, a screen presenting a uniform color, suchas white, green, or blue, may be especially useful as an interior screento achieve a clean visual image and/or improved backgroundremoval/replacement for individuals using video cameras while within theworkstation assembly. In such an example, an individual usingvideoconference software to make a videoconference connection may wishto have a clean background of a uniform color. Thus, with a camerapositioned at the stationary section (e.g., built into or placed on topof a display) and the user sitting inside the workstation assembly(e.g., in front of the camera), the exposed surface of the interiorscreen would be visible behind the user from the camera's point of view.

In some cases, one or more light sources can be positioned to illuminatea user within the workstation assembly, such as when the user is joininga videoconference. In some cases, one or more additional light sourcescan be positioned to illuminate the inner screen. Such light sources andadditional light sources can be manually controlled or automaticallycontrolled.

In some cases, the rear wall panel of the stationary unit or a portionof the rear wall panel of the stationary unit (e.g., a portion of therear wall panel bounded by the work surface, the ceiling panel of thestationary unit, a side panel of the stationary unit, and a supplementalpanel of the stationary unit or opposite side panel of the stationaryunit) can output light. For example, the rear wall panel or portionthereof can be made of a transparent or translucent material capable ofpassing light therethrough, preferably diffuse light. Such a rear wallpanel or portion thereof can be backlit or edge-lit by an additionallight source. In some cases, the rear wall panel or a portion thereofcan be front-lit and can have a diffusely-reflective surface designed todiffusely reflect light from an additional light source.

In some cases, one or more sensors associated with the deployable screensystem can be used to trigger actions when the screen is in a retractedposition, in an extended position, and/or moving between the retractedposition and the extended position. Any suitable sensors can be used. Insome cases, a sensor can be associated with the roller, the screen, theslidable end panel, and/or the support linkage. For example, a hallsensor coupled adjacent the roller can record the number of times amagnet coupled to the roller passes by, thus permitting the sensor toknow how much the screen is wound on or unwound from the roller. Inanother example, a mechanical lever switch can be coupled adjacent anarm of a support linkage such that it becomes depressed when theslidable end panel is moved to the retracted position or the extendedposition.

Such sensors can be used to activate additional functionality of theworkstation assembly or can be used to transmit a signal to a computerlocated within the workstation assembly. In an example, triggering of asensor associated with full deployment of the screen (e.g., movement ofthe slidable end panel to the extended position) can cause additionallight sources that illuminate the screen to automatically turn on. Inanother example, movement of the screen away from a fully deployedposition can cause a signal to be sent to the computer to automaticallylock the computer or perform another security-related action. Thus, if ascreen that would otherwise visually occlude the computer's display ispushed closed, the signal can automatically lock the computerconfidential information is not leaked when the screen no longervisually occludes the computer's display. In some cases, signals fromsuch sensors can be used to automatically extend and/or retract themovable computer equipment support.

These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to thegeneral subject matter discussed here and are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe variousadditional features and examples with reference to the drawings in whichlike numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions areused to describe the illustrative embodiments but, like the illustrativeembodiments, should not be used to limit the present disclosure. Theelements included in the illustrations herein may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly 100 withdoor sections 106, 108 in open positions, according to certain aspectsof the present disclosure. The workstation assembly 100 can be locatedwithin an environment 102, such as an office of a building, anopen-office-floorplan floor of an office building, a room in aresidence, or any other suitable location. In some cases, environment102 is a common space with multiple individuals all working in thecommon space. In some cases, environment 102 is a multi-use space forwhich the workstation assembly 100 is only used for a portion of a timeperiod. In some cases, the environment 102 can have little or no naturallight, such as a windowless room or a region of a floor spaced far apartfrom windows.

The workstation assembly 100 can include a stationary section 104 with awork surface 114. A movable computer equipment support, such as akeyboard tray 132 and/or a display arm 134 can be coupled to thestationary section 104 via the work surface 114, a rear wall panel 172,or otherwise.

In some cases, rear wall panel 172 itself or a portion thereof (e.g., aportion defined by the first side panel 192, an opposite supplementalpanel (e.g., supplemental panel 896 of FIG. 8 ), the work surface 114,and a ceiling panel 198) can transmit or reflect diffuse light. In anexample of transmitting diffuse light, the rear wall panel 172 orportion thereof can be made of a transparent or translucent material,which can be backlit or edge-lit by a light source to transmit diffuselight. In an example of reflecting diffuse light, the rear wall panel172 or portion thereof can be front-lit by a light source and can have asurface capable of diffusely reflecting light from the light source. Insome cases, light coming from the rear wall panel 172 (e.g., viatransmission or reflection) can be controlled manually (e.g., via abutton or switch) or automatically (e.g., automatically in response torotating one or both door sections 106, 108 by a threshold degree ofrotation).

A first door section 106 can be rotatably coupled to a first side panel192 of the stationary section 104 by hinges 196. In an open position,the first door section 106 can form a or approximately 90° angle withthe stationary section 104, although that need not always be the case.The first door section 106 includes a distal side wall 116 with a slot122 shaped to fit around the work surface 114 when the first doorsection 106 is in a closed position. The first door section 106 issupported over the floor by a caster 124, permitting the first doorsection 106 to rotate between the closed position and open position. Thefirst door section 106 further includes a deployable screen system 120coupled thereto (e.g., integrated therein or removably coupled thereto).

A second door section 108 can be rotatably coupled to a second sidepanel of the stationary section 104 by hinges. The second side panel islocated opposite the work surface 114 from the first side panel 192. Inan open position, the second door section 108 can form a 90° orapproximately 90° angle with the stationary section 108, although thatneed not always be the case. The second door section 108 can include adistal wall 118 with a slot 130 shaped to fit around the work surface114 when the second door section 108 is in a closed position. The seconddoor section 108 can be supported over the floor by a caster 128,permitting the second door section 108 to rotate between the closedposition and open position.

The workstation assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a surroundframe 110 containing a number of openings 112 (e.g., sixteen openings).One or more light sources associated with the openings 112 can causeillumination to exit from the surround frame 110 and illuminate theenvironment 102. The use of the surround frame 110 with openings 112 canpermit diffuse light to illuminate the environment 102, which can bebeneficial to working in the workstation assembly 100, especially if theenvironment 102 has little or no natural light.

FIG. 2 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly 200 with adeployable screen 236 partially deployed, according to certain aspectsof the present disclosure. Workstation assembly 200 can be workstationassembly 100 of FIG. 1 after partial deployment of screen 236.

Screen 236 is a part of the deployable screen system 220, which ispositioned at a distal end of the first door section 206. The deployablescreen system 220 includes a slidable end panel 246 that is supportedover the floor by a caster 226. The slidable end panel 246 can becoupled to a roller housing 250 such that the slidable end panel 246 canmove between a retracted position and an extended position. In theretracted position, the slidable end panel 246 is located adjacent to orwithin the roller housing 250. In the extended position, the slidableend panel 246 is located spaced apart from the roller housing 250.Moving the slidable end panel 246 between the retracted position and theextended position can involve sliding the slidable end panel 246 along adirection that is parallel to the floor and parallel to the stationarysection 204 (e.g., the rear wall panel of the stationary section 204).In some cases, the slidable end panel 246 can include a handle 248 tofacilitate moving the slidable end panel 246.

The slidable end panel 246 can be coupled to the roller housing 250 byan opposing pair of support linkages 240 (e.g., an upward-facing “V”shaped linkage and a downward-facing “V” shaped linkage as depicted inFIG. 2 ), although that need not always be the case.

The screen 236 can be coupled to a roller within roller housing 250 at afirst end and to the slidable end panel 246 at an opposite, second end.Roller housing 250 can be part of or can be otherwise coupled to thefirst door section 206. When it is being deployed, screen 236 can beparallel or approximately parallel to the stationary section 204 (e.g.,the rear wall panel of the stationary section 204).

FIG. 3 is an axonometric projection of a workstation assembly 300 with adeployable screen 336 fully deployed, according to certain aspects ofthe present disclosure. Workstation assembly 300 can be workstationassembly 200 of FIG. 2 after full deployment of screen 336.

The screen 336 of the deployable screen system 320 is in a fullydeployed position, with the slidable end panel 346 in its extendedposition. In the extended position, the slidable end panel 346 can belocated adjacent the second door section 308. In some cases, a planeformed by the slidable end panel 346 can pass through and/or beyond thesecond door section 308 when the slidable end panel 346 is in theextended position, although that need not always be the case.

In the fully deployed position, screen 336 can create a barrier betweenthe environment in which the workspace assembly 300 is positioned andthe an interior of the workspace assembly 300 (e.g., an interior regiondefined by the stationary section 304, the first door section 306, thesecond door section 308, and the screen 336).

In some optional cases, the slidable end panel 346 can removably coupleto the second door section 308, such as via a latch or other suitablemechanism. Such removable coupling of the slidable end panel 346 and thesecond door section 308 can temporarily secure the deployable screensystem 320 in the fully deployed position, such as to avoid accidentalor intentional retraction by someone other than the user (e.g., someoneoutside of the workstation assembly 300).

FIG. 4 is a front view of a workstation assembly 400 with door sections406, 408 in closed positions, according to certain aspects of thepresent disclosure. Workstation assembly 400 can be any suitableworkstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 100 of FIG. 1 .

When the door sections 406, 408 are in closed positions, the stationarysection 404 can be visually occluded (e.g., substantially visuallyoccluded). In the closed positions, door sections 406, 408 can limitaccess to the stationary section 404. In the closed positions, anexterior wall 452 of the first door section 406 and an exterior wall 454of the second door section 408 can be visible. These exterior walls 452,454 can be made of materials and/or be treated to provide anaesthetically pleasing view. For example, exterior walls 452, 454 may bemade of stained wood or other materials treated to present a desirablevisual aesthetic. As depicted in FIG. 4 , first door section 406 iswider than second door section 454, although that need not always be thecase.

Visible near the bottom of the workstation assembly 400 is the caster424 for the first door section 406, the caster 428 for the second doorsection 408, and the caster 426 for the slidable end panel of thedeployable screen system.

A surround frame 410 is depicted. The surround frame 410 can include anumber of openings 412 through which light can be transmitted. In somecases, the surround frame 410 can be made of the same material as and/orbe made as a single body with at least a portion of the stationarysection 404 (e.g., a rear wall panel, a ceiling, and/or one or more sidepanels of the stationary section), although that need not always be thecase.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a workstation assembly 500 with both the firstdoor section 506 and the second door section in closed positions,according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Workstationassembly 500 can be any suitable workstation assembly, such asworkstation assembly 100 of FIG. 1 . In the closed position, the firstdoor section 506 limits access to the stationary section 504.

The surround frame 510 can include multiple openings 512. Each opening512 can include a front aperture 562 and one or more inner surfaces 560.Each opening 512 can take any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g.,circular, square, rectangular, oval, and the like). As used herein, theterm “aperture” is inclusive of an opening having any shape, such asround, rectangular, and others. As depicted herein, the cross section ofeach opening 512 and the opening's front aperture 562, is rectangular inshape.

Each opening 512 can include a divider 556. The divider 556 as depictedin FIG. 5 is positioned spaced apart from the front aperture 562,although that need not always be the case. Divider 556 can be positionedat the front aperture 562 in some cases. In some cases, divider 556 ispositioned between a light source and the front aperture 562. Divider556 can be transparent or translucent. Light passing through the divider556 (e.g., from a left-to-right direction as seen in FIG. 5 ) can bounceoff surface(s) 560, resulting in diffuse light entering the environmentin front of the surround frame 510. Surface(s) 560 can be prepared todiffusely reflect light, such as by being painted white or otherwisecovered in or made of a white material. Other colors and any suitablematerial can be used.

FIG. 6 is a top cutaway view of a workstation assembly 600 with asurround frame 610, with door sections 606, 608 in closed positions,according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Workstationassembly 600 can be any suitable workstation assembly, such asworkstation assembly 500 of FIG. 5 . The top cutaway view of FIG. 6 istaken along line A:A of FIG. 5 .

The surround frame 610 contains openings 612. Each opening 612 includesa front aperture 662 and at least one surface 660 suitable forreflecting light, such as diffusely reflecting light. Each opening 612can also include a divider 656 made of a transparent or translucentmaterial. The divider 656 can be positioned between the front aperture662 and a light source 658. Light sources 658 depicted in FIG. 6 arelight emitting diode (LED) strips, although any suitable light sourcecan be used.

Door sections 606, 608 are shown in closed positions, abutting thestationary section 604. In some cases, one of the door section (e.g.,first door section 606) can be removably locked in the closed positionby a lock 664. Lock 664 can be any suitable mechanism for removablysecuring the door section to the stationary section 604, such as alatch. A second lock 666 can be used to removably lock together thatdoor section (e.g., first door section 606) with the other door section(e.g., second door section 608). Second lock 666 can be any suitablemechanism for removably securing together the door sections 606, 608,such as a latch. While locked, the door sections 606, 608 cannot beopened. After unlocking, door sections 606, 608 can be opened, such aswith the aid of handles 668.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a workstation assembly 700 without a surroundframe, with door sections 706, 708 in closed positions, according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure. Workstation assembly 700 canbe any suitable workstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 100of FIG. 1 without a surround frame. Workstation assembly 700 includesthe first door section 706 and second door section 708 in closedpositions, abutting the stationary section 704. In some cases, one ormore bumpers 770 can be positioned on a rear side of the stationarysection 704 to improve installation of the workstation assembly 700,such as by avoiding damage to any walls or objects against which theworkstation assembly 700 is placed.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a workstation assembly 800 without a surroundframe, with door sections 806, 808 in open positions, according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure. Workstation assembly 800 canbe any suitable workstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 700of FIG. 7 after opening the door sections 806, 808. For illustrativepurposes, the tops (e.g., ceilings) of the stationary section 804, firstdoor section 806, and second door section 808 are depicted astransparent.

The stationary section 804 can include a rear wall panel 872 separatinga first side panel 892 and a second side panel 894. A work surface 814can extend from the rear wall panel 872 for a distance greater than thewidths of the first side panel 892 and/or second side panel 894. Asdepicted in FIG. 8 , the work surface 814 extends from the first sidepanel 892 to a supplemental barrier 896. A space 874 is defined betweenthe supplemental barrier 896 and the second side wall 894. Space 874 canbe used to store objects in the depth of the stationary section 804 thatwould otherwise collide with work surface 814, such as a back support ofa chair.

First door section 806 can be coupled to the first side panel 892, suchas via a hinge. Second door section 808 can be coupled to the secondside panel 894, such as via a hinge. The first door section 806 caninclude a deployable screen system 820.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a workstation assembly 900 without a surroundframe, with deployable screens 936, 938 fully deployed, according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure. Workstation assembly 900 canbe any suitable workstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 800of FIG. 8 after deployment of screens 936, 938. For illustrativepurposes, the tops (e.g., ceilings) of the stationary section 904, firstdoor section, and second door section are depicted as transparent.

The deployable screen system 920 can have two screens, including aninner screen 936 and an outer screen 938. The screens 936, 938 are intheir deployed positions, with the slidable end panel 946 in itsextended position. In their deployed positions, screens 936, 938 may bein planes parallel to the rear wall panel 972 of the stationary section904. Inner screen 936 can have an exposed surface that faces the rearwall panel 972 (e.g., towards the top of the page) and outer screen 938can have an exposed surface that faces away from the rear wall panel 972(e.g., towards the bottom of the page). Also depicted are two supportlinkages 940. Each support linkage 940 can include a first arm 942 and asecond arm 944.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of a deployable screen system 1020 of aworkstation assembly 1000, with deployable screens 1036, 1038 inretracted positions, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure. Workstation assembly 1000 can be any suitable workstationassembly, such as workstation assembly 100 of FIG. 1 .

A deployable screen system 1020 can be coupled to the first door section1006 at a distal end of the first door section 1006 (e.g., past distalside wall 1016). The deployable screen system 1020 can include a rollerhousing 1050, which is depicted as being a part of the first doorsection 1006, although that need not always be the case.

Inner screen 1036 is coupled between a first roller 1076 and theslidable end panel 1046. In its retracted position, inner screen 1036 issubstantially wrapped around the first roller 1076. Outer screen 1038 iscoupled between a second roller 1078 and the slidable end panel 1046. Inits retracted position, outer screen 1038 is substantially wrappedaround the second roller 1078.

The deployable screen system 1020 is shown as having two supportlinkages 1040, 1041. A first support linkage 1040 includes a first arm1042 and a second arm 1044. A second support linkage 1041 includes afirst arm 1043 and a second arm 1045. First arms 1042, 1043 are coupledto the roller housing 1050. Second arms 1044, 1045 are coupled to theslidable end panel 1046. The slidable end panel 1046 is in its retractedposition. In the retracted position, an exterior surface of the slidableend panel 1046 may be flush with an exposed edge of the roller housing.While the slidable end panel 1046 is in a retracted position, the arms1042, 1043, 1044, 1045 of the support linkages 1040, 1041 may bevertical or approximately vertical.

FIG. 11 is a combination close up view and enlarged view of a deployablescreen system 1120 of a workstation assembly 1100, with deployablescreens 1136, 1138 in deployed positions, according to certain aspectsof the present disclosure. Workstation assembly 1100 can be any suitableworkstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 1000 of FIG. 10 afterdeployment of the deployable screens 1136, 1138.

When the slidable end panel 1146 is in its extended position, screens1136, 1138 are substantially unwrapped from their respective rollers1176, 1178. When the slidable end panel 1146 is in its extendedposition, the arms 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145 of the support linkages mayhave moved away from a vertical or approximately vertical orientation.First arms 1142, 1143 can couple to roller housing 1150 by respectivefirst pivots 1180, 1181 at first ends. Second arms 1144, 1145 can coupleto the slidable end panel 1146 by respective second pivots 1182, 1183 atfirst ends. The second ends of the first arms 1142, 1143 can coupled tosecond ends of the second arms 1144, 1145 via a resistance coupling.

Each screen 1136, 1138 can be coupled to the slidable end panel 1146 byrespective retention channels 1186. As depicted in further detail in theenlarged view, each retention channel 1186 can include a slot 1188.Screen 1138 can be coupled to the roller 1178 at a first end. The secondend of the screen 1138 can have a region of increased thickness 1190. Asdepicted in FIG. 11 , the region of increased thickness 1190 is aportion of the second end of the screen 1138 that has been doubled backon itself and secured in place (e.g., with adhesive or sewing). The slot1188 of the retention channel 1186 can be sized such that a nominalthickness of the screen 1138 can fit through, but the region ofincreased thickness 1190 cannot. The nominal thickness of the screen1138 can be a thickness of the screen throughout most of the screen1138, such as before being doubled back to form the region of increasedthickness 1190.

FIG. 12 is a front cutaway view of a deployable screen system 1220 of aworkstation assembly 1200, with a deployable screen 1236 in a deployedposition, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.Workstation assembly 1200 can be any suitable workstation assembly, suchas workstation assembly 100 of FIG. 1 . For illustrative purposes, thecutaway view of FIG. 12 does not show any outer screen or associatedroller, as well as any side wall of the roller housing 1250.

Screen 1236 is supported between roller 1276 and slidable end panel1246. Roller 1276 provides a biasing force to pull against the screen1236 (e.g., in a direction from right to left as seen in FIG. 12 ).However, resistance provided by the support linkages 1240, 1241 canovercome the biasing force such that the screen 1236 will not wrap ontothe roller 1276 without additional force (e.g., from a user pushing theslidable end panel 1246 closed). Screen 1236 can be coupled to theroller 1276 at a first end and to the slidable end panel 1246 (viaretention channel 1286) at a second end.

Support linkages 1240, 1241 can include respective first arms 1242, 1243coupled to the roller housing 1250 via respective first pivots 1280,1281. First arms 1242, 1243 can be coupled to respective second arms1244, 1245 by respective resistance couplings 1284, 1285. Second arms1244, 1245 can be coupled to the slidable end panel 1246 by respectivepivots 1282, 1283. Each resistance coupling 1284, 1285 can be a pivotthat provides an amount of resistance (e.g., via friction) to rotationof respective first arms 1242, 1243 with respect to respective secondarms 1244, 1245. Thus, movement of the slidable end panel 1246 towardsor away from the roller housing 1250 can only be accomplished byovercoming the resistance of the resistance couplings 1284, 1285. Insome cases, an actuator can be used to adjust the resistance ofresistance couplings 1284, 1285.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting a process 1300 for using a workstationassembly, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.Process 1300 can be carried out in any suitable environment, such asenvironment 102 of FIG. 1 . At block 1302, a workstation assembly isprovided. Providing the workstation assembly can include providing anysuitable workstation assembly, such as workstation assembly 100 of FIG.1 . In some cases, providing a workstation assembly can includeassembling the workstation assembly and/or maneuvering the workstationassembly into a desired location.

At block 1304, the workstation assembly is opened. Opening theworkstation assembly can include moving each door section from itsclosed position to its open position. In some cases, opening theworkstation assembly can include unlocking or unlatching each doorsection. In some cases, opening the workstation assembly can furtherinclude extending one or more movable computer equipment supports, suchas manually or automatically in response to opening of a door section.

At block 1306, one or more deployable screens are extended. Extending adeployable screen at block 1306 can include moving a slidable end panelof a deployable screen system away from a door section (e.g., in adirection perpendicular to the door section). Moving the slidable endpanel can cause the slidable end panel to move from a retracted positionto an extended position. As the slidable end panel moves from theretracted position to the extended position, one or more screens coupledto the slidable end panel unwrap from respective rollers. Once theslidable end panel is in its extended position, support linkagescoupling the slidable end panel to the door section can providesufficient resistance to overcome a biasing force provided by the rollerto wrap up the screen.

At block 1308, the one or more deployable screens can be retracted.Retracting a deployable screen at block 1308 can include moving aslidable end panel of a deployable screen system towards a door section(e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the door section). Moving theslidable end panel can cause the slidable end panel to move from anextended position to a retracted position. As the slidable end panelmoves from the extended position to the retracted position, one or morescreens coupled to the slidable end panel wrap up onto respectiverollers. Moving the slidable end panel towards the retracted positioncan cause additional force to be applied to the support linkages toovercome the resistance of the support linkages, thus permitting thebiasing force of the rollers to wrap the screens around the rollers.

In some cases, at optional block 1310, a deployable screen can beremoved. Removal of the deployable screen can include removal of thescreen and its associated roller. In some cases, however, removal of thedeployable screen can include removal of an entire deployable screensystem containing at least one or more rollers, one or more screens, aslidable end panel, and one or more support linkages. Removal of adeployable screen can include removing its associated roller and slidingthe distal end of the screen out of the retention channel of theslidable end panel.

In some cases, at optional block 1312, an alternate deployable screencan be attached. Attachment of the alternate deployable screen caninclude attachment of the screen and its associated roller. In somecases, however, attachment of the alternate deployable screen caninclude attachment of an entire deployable screen system containing atleast one or more rollers, one or more screens, a slidable end panel,and one or more support linkages. Attachment of an alternate deployablescreen can include sliding the distal end of the screen into theretention channel of the slidable end panel and attaching its associatedroller within the roller housing.

The blocks of process 1300 can be performed in any suitable order,including certain blocks being performed simultaneously or in differentorders. For example, extending the deployable screen at block 1306 canoccur during opening of the workstation assembly at block 1304.Additionally, while process 1300 is described with certain blocks, one,some, or all of the blocks of process 1300 can be removed and/orreplaced with other blocks. Additionally, in some cases, process 1300can include additional blocks not depicted in FIG. 13 . For example, insome cases, process 1300 can include moving or positioning equipmentwithin the workstation assembly after opening the workstation assemblyat block 1304, as well as turning on one or more lights associated witha surround frame or with other aspects of the workstation assembly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments, including illustratedembodiments, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration anddescription and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to theprecise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and usesthereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Numerous changesto the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with thedisclosure herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentdisclosure should not be limited by any of the above describedembodiments.

Although certain aspects of the present disclosure have been illustratedand described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalentalterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilledin the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification andthe annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of thedisclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of severalimplementations, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application.

As used below, any reference to a series of examples is to be understoodas a reference to each of those examples disjunctively (e.g., “Examples1-4” is to be understood as “Examples 1, 2, 3, or 4”).

Example 1 is a workstation assembly, comprising: a stationary sectionhaving a rear wall panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and awork surface, the work surface being positioned between the first sidepanel and the second side panel; a door section rotatably coupled to thestationary section at the first side panel, the door section rotatablebetween a closed position and an open position; and a deployable screensystem coupled to the first door section, the deployable screen systemcomprising: a roller housing coupled to the door section; a rollerassembly positioned within the roller housing and rotatable about aroller axis; a slidable end panel coupled to the roller housing by asupport linkage, the slidable end panel movable between a retractedposition adjacent the roller housing and an extended position spacedapart from the roller housing; and a screen having a first end supportedby the slidable end panel and a second end supported by the rollerassembly, the roller assembly providing a biasing force to wrap aportion of the screen about the roller assembly when the slidable endpanel is in the retracted position, wherein movement of the slidable endpanel to the extended position unwraps at least some of the portion ofthe screen from the roller assembly.

Example 2 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1, wherein the doorsection is supported by a caster movable on a floor, and wherein theslidable end panel is supported by an additional caster movable on thefloor.

Example 3 is the workstation assembly of example(S) 1 or 2, wherein thestationary section further includes a movable computer equipment supportmovable between an extended position and a retracted position, whereinmovement of the door section to the closed position induces movement ofthe movable computer equipment support to the retracted position.

Example 4 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-3, furthercomprising an additional door section rotatably coupled to thestationary section at the second side panel, the additional door sectionrotatable between a closed position and an open position, wherein aninner surface of the door section faces an inner surface of theadditional door section when the door section is in its open positionand the additional door section is in its open position.

Example 5 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-4, wherein thedoor section has a width extending from the first side panel, whereinthe additional door section has an additional width extending from thesecond side panel, and wherein the width of the door section is greaterthan the additional width of the additional door section.

Example 6 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-5, wherein thedoor section comprises an interior wall having a slot, wherein the slotof the interior wall of the door section fits around the work surfacewhen the door section is in the closed position.

Example 7 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-6, furthercomprising a surround frame positioned around the stationary section,the surround frame having one or more light sources.

Example 8 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 7, wherein thesurround frame comprises a plurality of openings, wherein each of theplurality of openings comprises: a front aperture; a respective one ofthe one or more light sources; and a divider separating the respectiveone of the one or more light sources from the front aperture, thedivider being transparent or translucent

Example 9 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 8, wherein each ofthe plurality of openings further comprises a surface positioned betweenthe divider and the front aperture, the surface being treated todiffusely reflect light from the respective one of the one or more lightsources out of the front aperture.

Example 10 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-9, wherein thesupport linkage comprises a first linkage arm having a first endrotatably coupled to the roller housing and a second linkage arm havinga first end rotatably coupled to the slidable end panel, wherein asecond end of the first linkage arm is rotatably coupled to a second endof the second linkage arm by a resistance coupling, and wherein theresistance coupling provides sufficient resistance to overcome thebiasing force of the roller assembly.

Example 11 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-10, wherein thesupport linkage is coupled between an upper region of the roller housingand an upper region of the slidable end panel, and wherein thedeployable screen system further comprises a second support linkagecoupled between a lower region of the roller housing and a lower regionof the slidable end panel.

Example 12 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-11, wherein thescreen is positioned between the support linkage and the stationarysection when the door section is in the open position and the slidableend panel is in the extended position.

Example 13 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-12, wherein thedeployable screen system further comprises: an additional rollerassembly positioned within the roller housing; and an additional screenhaving a first end supported by the slidable end panel and a second endsupported by the additional roller assembly, wherein the support linkageis positioned between the screen and the additional screen.

Example 14 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-13, wherein anexposed surface of the screen faces the stationary section when the doorsection is in the open position and the slidable end panel is in theextended position, and wherein the exposed surface of the screen is auniform color.

Example 15 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 14, wherein anexposed surface of the additional screen faces away from the stationarysection when the door section is in the open position and the slidableend panel is in the extended position, and wherein the exposed surfaceof the additional screen is different from the uniform color.

Example 16 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-15, wherein thefirst end of the screen includes a region of increased thickness,wherein the slidable end panel includes a retention channel having avertical slot, and wherein the first end of the screen is supported bythe slidable end panel by the region of increased thickness beingpositioned within the retention channel as the screen passes through thevertical slot.

Example 17 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-16, wherein theroller housing is removably coupled to the door section.

Example 18 is the workstation assembly of example(s) 1-17, wherein thedoor section includes i) a shelf; ii) an additional work surface; iii) acabinet; iv) a drawer; v) a hanger bar; or vi) any combination of i-v.

Example 19 is a method, comprising: providing a workstation assemblyhaving door section rotatably coupled to a stationary section; openingthe workstation assembly by rotating the door section away from thestationary section; and extending a deployable screen by pulling aslidable end panel away from the door section, wherein pulling theslidable end panel away from the door section causes the deployablescreen to unwrap from a roller assembly coupled to the door section.

Example 20 is the method of example 19, further comprising: removing thedeployable screen, wherein removing the deployable screen includesuncoupling the roller assembly from the door section; attaching analternate deployable screen, wherein attaching the alternate deployablescreen includes coupling an alternate roller assembly to the doorsection; and extending the alternate deployable screen, whereinextending the alternate deployable screen includes pulling the slidableend panel away from the door section, wherein pulling the slidable endpanel away from the door section causes the alternate deployable screento unwrap from the alternate roller assembly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deployable screen system, comprising: a rollerhousing supported above a floor; a first roller assembly supportedvertically within the roller housing; a second roller assembly supportedvertically within the roller housing; a first screen having a first endcoupled to the first roller assembly; a second screen having a first endcoupled to the second roller assembly; and a slidable end panel coupledto the roller housing by a support linkage, the slidable end panelmovable between a retracted position adjacent the roller housing and anextended position spaced apart from the roller housing; wherein thefirst roller assembly provides a biasing force to wrap a portion of thefirst screen about the first roller assembly when the slidable end panelis in the retracted position; wherein the second roller assemblyprovides a biasing force to wrap a portion of the second screen aboutthe second roller assembly when the slidable end panel is in theretracted position; wherein a second end of the first screen is coupledto the slidable end panel such that movement of the slidable end panelto the extended position unwraps at least some of the portion of thefirst screen from the first roller assembly; and wherein a second end ofthe second screen is coupled to the slidable end panel such thatmovement of the slidable end panel to the extended position unwraps atleast some of the portion of the second screen from the second rollerassembly.
 2. The deployable screen system of claim 1, wherein theslidable end panel is supported over the floor by a caster.
 3. Thedeployable screen system of claim 1, wherein the support linkagecomprises a first linkage arm having a first end rotatably coupled tothe roller housing and a second linkage arm having a first end rotatablycoupled to the slidable end panel, wherein a second end of the firstlinkage arm is rotatably coupled to a second end of the second linkagearm by a resistance coupling.
 4. The deployable screen system of claim1, wherein the support linkage is coupled between an upper region of theroller housing and an upper region of the slidable end panel, andwherein the deployable screen system further comprises a second supportlinkage coupled between a lower region of the roller housing and a lowerregion of the slidable end panel.
 5. The deployable screen system ofclaim 4, wherein the support linkage and the second support linkageprovide sufficient resistance to overcome the biasing force of the firstroller assembly and the biasing force of the second roller assembly. 6.The deployable screen system of claim 1, wherein the support linkage ispositioned such that the support linkage is located between the firstscreen and the second screen when the slidable end panel is in theextended position.
 7. The deployable screen system of claim 1, whereinthe first screen has an exposed surface that is a uniform color, andwherein the second screen has an exposed surface that is different thanthe exposed surface of the first screen.
 8. The deployable screen systemof claim 1, wherein the roller housing is coupled to a workstationhaving a work surface such that an exposed surface of the first screenfaces the work surface when the slidable end panel is in the extendedposition.
 9. The deployable screen system of claim 1, wherein theslidable end panel includes: a first retention channel for receiving thesecond end of the first screen, wherein the first retention channelretains a region of increased thickness of the second end of the firstscreen; and a second retention channel for receiving the second end ofthe second screen, wherein the second retention channel retains a regionof increased thickness of the second end of the second screen.
 10. Thedeployable screen system of claim 9, wherein the first screen isremovable by sliding the second end of the first screen out of the firstretention channel and removing the first roller assembly from the rollerhousing.
 11. The deployable screen system of claim 10, furthercomprising a replacement screen having a first end coupled to areplacement roller assembly, wherein the replacement roller assembly iscouplable to the roller housing after removal of the first rollerassembly, and wherein a second end of the replacement screen is slidablyinsertable into the first retention channel such that the firstretention channel retains a region of increased thickness of the secondend of the replacement screen.
 12. A workstation for supporting thedeployable screen system of claim 1, comprising: a stationary sectionsupporting a work surface; and a door section rotatably coupled to thestationary section and movable between a closed position and an openposition, wherein the roller housing is coupled to the door section suchthat the slidable end panel can be moved to the extended position whenthe door section is in the open position.
 13. A method, comprising:providing a roller housing vertically supporting a first roller assemblyand a second roller assembly, wherein a slidable end panel is coupled tothe roller housing by a support linkage; moving the slidable end panelfrom a retracted position adjacent the roller housing to an extendedposition spaced apart from the roller housing; causing a first screen tounwrap from the first roller assembly and a second screen to unwrap fromthe second roller assembly in response to moving the slidable end panelto the extended position; moving the slidable end panel from theextended position to the retracted position; and causing the firstscreen to wrap around the first roller assembly and the second screen towrap around the second roller assembly in response to moving theslidable end panel to the retracted position.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein a biasing force of the first roller assembly facilitatescausing the first screen to wrap around the first roller assembly and abiasing force of the second roller assembly facilitates causing thesecond screen to wrap around the second roller assembly.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the support linkage, when the slidable end panel isin the extended position, provides sufficient resistance to overcome thebiasing force of the first roller assembly and the biasing force of thesecond roller assembly.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstscreen has a first end coupled to the first roller assembly and a secondend coupled to the slidable end panel via a first retention channel,wherein the first retention channel retains a region of increasedthickness of the second end of the first screen; and wherein the secondscreen has a first end coupled to the second roller assembly and asecond end coupled to the slidable end panel via a second retentionchannel, wherein the second retention channel retains a region ofincreased thickness of the second end of the second screen.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising: removing the first screen,wherein removing the first screen includes: sliding the second end ofthe first screen out of the first retention channel; and removing thefirst roller assembly from the roller housing.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising: adding a replacement screen, the replacementscreen having a first end coupled to a replacement roller assembly,wherein adding the replacement screen includes: sliding a second end ofthe replacement screen into the first retention channel; and couplingthe replacement roller assembly to the roller housing.
 19. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the roller housing is coupled to a workstation havinga work surface such that an exposed surface of the first screen facesthe work surface when the slidable end panel is in the extendedposition.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the rollerhousing comprises: providing a workstation having a stationary sectionsupporting a work surface, and providing a door section rotatablycoupled to the stationary section and movable between a closed positionand an open position, wherein the roller housing is coupled to the doorsection such that the slidable end panel can be moved to the extendedposition when the door section is in the open position.